Ryan Brearley, Painter

What inspires you?

The simplicity of well-made ceramics and the way that light falls upon them. Bicycles and Biggles!

What drives you to produce what you do?

To have people value the beauty in things and attempting to capture moments that often go unnoticed.

How would you describe your creative process?

Thoughtful and explorative.

What handmade item do you cherish most?

A tiny, brown stoneware butter bowl that was given to me when I was very small. I was so taken with it while lunching with friends one day that they let me keep it

The tiny stoneware butter bowl

Besides your creative work, what else do you do, and like doing?

Spending time with Natasha and my closest friends, riding both my bicycles- but not at the same time, reading, collecting all sorts of things, going to plays and concerts, having picnics, flying kites and playing rounders, visiting galleries wherever I am in the world, playing board games and talking to our cats. 

Which artist, writer, designer or craftsperson (living or dead) do you admire?

Morandi, Eric and Macdonald Gill, Tristam Hillier, Lucien Freud, Cpt W.E. Johns.

What was the last book/magazine/music that you purchased?

Treadlie magazine, The book Conversations with David Hockney by Martin Gayforan and music, Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures.

What can make your day?

Riding my bicycle under the plane trees on St Kilda Road... arriving at the NGV in style!

What is a favourite quote or saying?

Two quotes come to mind, both from the French artist Balthus (1908-2001).

The best way to begin is to say: Balthus is a painter of whom nothing is known. And now let us have a look at his paintings. (This was in response to a request for biographical information for a catalogue).

I always feel the desire to look for the extraordinary in ordinary things; to suggest, not to impose, to leave always a slight touch of mystery in my paintings.

Ryan's latest work can be seen at the Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts, 26 Ackland Street St Kilda Victoria, as part of the 2012 Linden Postcard Show, from 4 February until 17 March.

You can also also read Ryan's musings on The Tweed Rider, a little project that his friends and fellow bicycle-enthusiasts have created for fun.

www.tweedrider.com.au

Ryan's work can also be found on the walls of McKenzie Ebbles Foodstore, Hobson Street, Queenscliff

ME , Hobson Street, Queensclif, Victoria.